FG Eyes Extra Earnings As Tax Payers’ Base Hits 19m – Adeosun

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BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun says the Federal Government is focused on stimulating the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria and mobilising additional revenues to drive its economic growth plan.

She said the set targets are to accelerate the nation’s growth level by creating an environment conducive to attract investments into the country from all fronts.

Speaking at a meeting with the World Bank Mission of 10 Executive Directors led by Mr Patrizio Pagano in Abuja on Thursday, Mrs Adeosun said; “The Nigerian Government is working towards accelerating the country’s growth level. The growth will be underpinned by stimulating the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in Nigeria and improving our capital expenditure which we have done in the last two years.”

According to her, “Nigerians should trust the Government to deliver on its promises of improving the economy and providing sustainable infrastructure development. We are very optimistic but we will remain vigilant.”

She said with an additional five million tax payers captured into the system, Nigeria’s tax payers’ base has risen from 14 million in 2016 to 19 million in 2018, adding; “By 2019, the growth will be stronger than the present level in 2018. We are optimistic in sustaining Nigeria’s economic growth. That is why we are driving the mobilisation of more revenues.”

The Minister, who expressed happiness that the tax payers’ base has grown to 19 million in two years from the 65 million economically active people who are not tax complaint, said government would constantly strive to widen its tax nets for extra income required to finance developmental projects across the country.

In his remarks, Leader of the World Bank Mission to Nigeria, Patrizio Pagano, stated that the team was in the country to acquaint itself with the Government’s growth and power priorities.

“We have met with several Nigerian entrepreneurs and have seen how vibrant the private sector is. We want to understand how the power sector is evolving in Nigeria,” Pagano said.

The World Bank officials had earlier met with the organised private sector in Lagos and undertaken a tour of LAPO Microfinance project in Lagos.

The 10 World Bank’s Executive Directors, representing 96 countries, are expected to inspect the Azura Power Plant in Edo State in the course of their three-day visit to Nigeria.

A statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Minister of Finance, Oluyinka Akintunde said the visit aims at providing first-hand impression of the challenges faced by both the Federal and State Governments in implementing development projects and ensuring good governance in general.

The statement also said the visit would further enhance the World Bank’s goal for member-countries as well as effectiveness of the Executive Directors in providing the required backing.

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